A KNUTSFORD triathlete will compete at the Ironman World Championship later this year after winning in his age class at a qualifying event.

Pete Openshaw’s Ironman UK winning time of 10:36 in the men’s 50-54 category secured a spot at the home of Ironman, Kailua-Kona, in October.

A seven-strong Knutsford Tri Club (KTC) team of Openshaw, Paul Salmon, Dave Gough, Ed Taylor, Pete Price, Jo Molyneux and Nick Gillon swam 2.4 miles, rode112 miles and ran a full 26.2 mile marathon to conquer the world’s most challenging one day endurance event in Bolton.

Molyneux recovered from a 30-minute medical stop to finish ninth in her age group as she prepares for the World Ironman 70.3 Championships at Las Vegas in September.

The Knutsford athletes completed the swim within the allotted two hours 20 minutes after entering the water at 4am.

They then passed through Buckshaw Village, Adlington and Rivington in the bike leg.

The marathon took athletes around a loop and through Bolton city centre three times before being declared an Ironman at the finish.

Knutsford Academy teacher Gillon was the final KTC finisher, only to see his moment of glory overshadowed by a competitor proposing to his girlfriend on the red carpet moments earlier.

Clive Reading, 65-70 category, was forced to pull out during the marathon leg due to the adverse weather conditions despite being on course to finish within the Ironman limit of 17 hours.

KTC’s Ironman results were Pete Openshaw 10:36, Paul Salmon 12:12, Dave Gough 12:41, Ed Taylor 13:07, Pete Price 14:03, Jo Molyneux 14:04 and Nick Gillon 14:06.

A busy weekend also saw KTC athletes competing in the Eirias middle distance triathlon in North Wales.

Hamish Shaw finished as runner-up with Matt Rushbrooke sixth overall.

Damien Bennett placed eighth and Ron Skilling 36th as Knutsford clinched the club first prize.